UFA, Russia — The United States routed Germany, 8-0, Thursday at the world junior ice hockey tournament behind a goal and two assists each from Alex Galchenyuk and Riley Barber.

This was the first Group B game for the Americans, who are tied for first place with Canada. The Canadians downed Germany 9-3 on Wednesday. The U.S. plays Russia on Friday.

Also Thursday, Switzerland beat Latvia 7-2 in Group A.

U.S. goaltender John Gibson stopped 19 shots through two periods. He was replaced for the third by Jon Gillies, who made seven saves.

Sean Kuraly added a goal and an assist for the Americans. Goalie Marvin Cupper had 38 saves for the Germans.

The Americans led 3-0 after the first period on goals by Kuraly, Jacob Trouba and Galchenyuk. They scored another three in the second by Barber, Shayne Gostisbehere and Ryan Hartman. J.T. Miller scored on a solo effort midway through the third, and Seth Jones completed the rout less than two minutes later.

Russia is third in Group B after beating Slovakia in overtime on Wednesday. Germany is in last place.

Sochi Olympic sites checked for damage

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered officials to inspect Olympic sites at the 2014 Winter Games’ capital, Sochi, which was hit by an earthquake.

The Emergency Situations Ministry reported a 5.5 magnitude earthquake in the area early Wednesday morning. The epicenter was in the Black Sea, more than 93 miles from Sochi, and no damage in the city was reported.

Putin, however, on Wednesday asked the local authorities to double-check Olympic sites for damage, the Interfax news agency reported.

The Black Sea resort of Sochi is slightly more than a year away from hosting the Winter Games. It hosted Russia’s national figure skating championships at one of the Olympic sites this week.

Beckham considers several soccer offers

LONDON — Nearly a month after leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy, David Beckham is considering “a number of serious proposals” but is in no rush to find a new team.

He has been linked to clubs in France, Australia and Asia in what would be the final chapter of the illustrious career of the 37-year-old midfielder and former England captain.

A “host of clubs” have made offers, Beckham’s management company said Thursday, but it remains “early days in the process.”

“David is in no hurry to make a decision, the key is making the right one as he has always done successfully in his career,” the statement said.

Beckham ended his five-year stint in the United States by helping the Galaxy win the MLS Cup on Dec. 1.

He has said it’s unlikely he will return to the English Premier League, where he starred for Manchester United from 1993 to 2003. Beckham is also reported to have ruled out a move to Australia’s A-League.

The French sports newspaper L’Equipe said Thursday that Monaco, an ambitious French second-division club, has ended talks with Beckham, although his advisers have refused to comment.

“David is enjoying spending quality time with his family over the holidays,” his management company said.

Beckham has also played for Real Madrid in Spain and AC Milan on loan in Italy.

Hall of Famer Fisk pleads guilty to DUI

JOLIET, Ill. — Hall of Fame baseball catcher Carlton Fisk pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge, two months after police found him asleep in his pickup truck in a suburban Chicago cornfield.

Fisk, 64, was sentenced to one year of court supervision and must pay $1,250 in court costs. He also must undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and counseling.

Fisk’s attorney, Stephen White, said in Will County court that Fisk wanted to accept responsibility for what he did.

New Lenox police found Fisk unconscious in the truck on Oct. 22 and said there was an open bottle of vodka on the floor. New Lenox is about 35 miles southwest of downtown Chicago.

Drew tries to restart career with Red Sox

BOSTON — Stephen Drew is moving to Boston to restart what once looked like a promising career.

The former first-round draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks was derailed by a serious ankle injury in 2011. He was traded last season to Oakland after returning from the injury and agreed to $9.5 million, one-year contract to play with the Red Sox in 2013.

His older brother, J.D., played five seasons with the Red Sox and earned a World Series title with Boston in 2007.

That year, as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Stephen Drew was playing his first full season in the majors and just missed facing his brother in the World Series when the Colorado Rockies swept his team for the National League title before losing to the Red Sox.

Coming back after a fractured right ankle on a collision at home plate that had him sideline from mid-July until late June of last season, Drew hit .193 in 39 games with two homers and 12 RBIs with the Diamondbacks until he was dealt to Oakland, where he played the final 40 games batting .250 with five homers and 16 RBIs.